Xie Zhenye Aims for Olympic History in Paris 2024
Chinese sprinter Xie Zhenye, turning 31 this August, is on the brink of making history by potentially becoming the first sprinter from the Chinese mainland to participate in four consecutive Summer Olympic Games. Having secured his spot for the men's 200-meter and the men's 4×100-meter relay events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Xie's journey is a testament to resilience and determination.
Considered one of the greatest sprinters in China’s current athletic landscape, Xie’s career is marked by a series of ups and downs. At just 16, he suffered a severe hip fracture in 2009, leading his coach to suggest that he might need to step back from the sport and return to school. However, Xie defied expectations by bouncing back within a year, clinching the gold medal in the men's 200-meter at the Youth Summer Olympics in Singapore with a time of 21.22 seconds.
Xie made his Olympic debut at the young age of 19 during the London 2012 Games. Over the years, he has shattered domestic and Asian records, including setting a new Chinese record in the men's 100-meter dash with a time of 9.97 seconds in 2017, and establishing a new Asian record in the men's 200-meter race with an impressive 19.88 seconds in 2018. His achievements also include securing a silver medal in the men's 4×100-meter relay at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics held in Beijing, marking the best Asian performance in the event.
Despite his successes, Xie has faced challenges, such as not reaching the finals in the men's 200-meter at both the Asian Games in 2014 and the World Championships in 2015. Furthermore, an injury in 2018 forced him to withdraw from the Asian Games that year. Nevertheless, his qualification for Paris 2024 underscores his enduring talent and commitment to the sport.
As Xie Zhenye prepares to compete on one of the world’s biggest stages once again, his story continues to inspire young athletes and sports enthusiasts around the globe.
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Chinese sprinter Xie Zhenye just wants to enjoy race at Paris 2024
cgtn.com
